Shaping apparatus for tubelike articles



June 18, 1946. J. F. P. EARRAR 2,402,490

SHAPING APPARATUS FOR TUBE-LIKE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 6, 1943 sSheets-Shet 1 IN V EN TOR.

June 18, 1946. I J. F. P. FARRAR 2,402,490

v SHAPING APPARATUS FOR TUBE-LIKE ARTICLES I Filed Jan. e, 1943 I sshets-sheet 2 9 114.. J42 J05 W346 INVENTOR.

30 (fa/WW WZ Zzywf June 18, 1946. J. F. P. FARRAR SHAPING APPARATUS FORTUBE-LIKE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 6, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 18,1946 SHAPING APPARATUS FOR TUBELIKE ARTICLES John F. P. Farrar, Maywood,Ill., assignor to Chicago Metal Hose Corporation, Maywood, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Application January 6, 1943, Serial No. 471,43913? Claims. (01. 153 7a) This invention relates to shaping apparatus,particularly for the shaping of tube-like articles by the internalworking thereof. Such tube-like articles may be relatively .shortsuch asbands, ferrules and the like, or longer in the form of elongated metaltubings.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus forshaping or profiling tubelik articles such, for example, as metalferrules or tubings by the internal working thereof to efiect an outwardradial projection of the article body into the desired shape or profile.In accordance with the principles of the invention, the working tool maybe arranged within the tubelike article to be shaped or worked, and socontrolled as to progressively project the body of the article radiallyoutwardly into the desired shape or profile.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the typestated wherein the mate- 2 rial of the article being shaped is subjectedto minimum internal strain during the shaping process.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thetype stated which are satisfactorily operable upon tube-like articles ofextended length, such as elongated metal tubing or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus forcorrugating metal tubing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a metal tubinghaving improved durability and other operating characteristics.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will beapparent from the following specification when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of theinvention is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout:

Fig. 1 is a. general assembly View, diagrammatic in form, of a tubeforming apparatus constructed in accordance with and adapted to carryout the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the apparatus of Fig. 1, on the line2--2 thereof, and more particularly showing the mechanism for holdingthe tubing during the shaping operation;

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of the tube feeding mechanism, Fig, 4being taken on the line l 1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial detail View of the tube supporting mechanism, on theline 5 5 of Fig. 1-;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the working or shaping head,adapted to be disposed internally of the tube or band being shaped;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 8, but showing the parts in a differentposition of operation;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure of Fig. 6, on theline 8-8 thereof;

Fig. 9 is an end view of the Working or shaping head, on the line 9-43of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the parts as adjusted totheir Fig. '7 position, and taken as indicated by the line lib-I0 ofFig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a sectional transverse View through the working head, on theline ll|l of Fig. 6, and showing a portion of the tool adjusting orshifting means;

Fig. 12 is a View similar to Fig. 11 but showing the parts in their Fig.7 position, as indicated by the line l 2-l2 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 13 is an exploded view showing certain parts of the tool adjustingor shifting means; and

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view through the working or shapinghead, on the line l il4 of Fig. 6. and showing another portion of thetool adjusting or shifting means.

In the drawings the invention has been illustrated as applied to themanufacture of annularly corrugated metal tubing by the internal workingthereof, as the'invention in various of its aspects is partcularlyadapted to an installation of this character. It is to be understood,however, that the principles of the invention are also adapted for theshaping or profiling of 'ar-' ticles including tube-like or band-likeferrules of other kinds and form.

The apparatus illustrated comprises an elongated table or platform It],Fig. 1, suitably sup,- ported by means of legs or uprights as indicatedat H and I2. The table iii may be of any desired length, depending uponthe length of the tubing or work to be processed.

A support bracket comprising a pedestal member i3 and a cooperating capmember Id, Figs. 1 and 2, is arranged adjacent one end of the table, thepedestal being fixed to the table by suitable means such as bolts L5.The support bracket is provided for releasably supporting the end of thework piece in position to be acted upon by the working or shaping head,as will be best understood'by reference to Figs. 1 and 6. In Fig. 6 theworking head is generally indicated by the numeral Hi, and the workpiece is indicated as an elongated metal tubing H, which may for examplecomprise a piece of longitudinally welded tubing to be provided withannular corrugations as indicated at I8, Fig. 1.

The support bracket is adapted to releasably engage or grip the exteriorsurface of the tubing or work piece, and to this end the cap 14 ispivotally connected to the pedestal 23 by means of a pivotal connection20, Fig. 2, suitable mechanism being provided for causing the cap andpedestal to grip the tubing when desired. More specifically, abell-crank lever 2| is pivotally mounted upon the pedestal 13 asindicated at 22, Fig. 2, the upper end of the bell-crank lever beingprovided with a roller 23 adapted to engage a cam-like projection 24formed on the end of the cap member l4. The lower end of the bell-crankis connected to an elongated rod 25 which projects downwardly through anopening in the table l and is connected at its lower end to a foot lever26 pivotally mounted as indicated at 21 upon a fixed floor bracket 28.The lever 26 may be provided with a pedal or portion 29 by means ofwhich the lever may be depressed by the operators foot inFo the fullline position indicated in Fig. 2, a tens-ion spring 36 secured to thelever and to the bracket 28 being provided for normally urging the leverupwardly into its dotted line position. When the lever 26 is in itsnormal or dotted position, the bell-crank 2| is pivoted clockwise fromthe position shown in Fig. 2, releasing the roller 23 from the camprojection 24, thereby releasing the cap member I4 from grippingengagement with the tubing and thus per mitting axial shifting of thetubing longitudinally of the table H] by means presently to bedescribed. Additionally, when the roller 23 is released from the camprojection 24, the cap member 14 may be pivoted to an inoperativeposition as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 to facilitate tubeloading operations. Assuming that the cap member is in engagement withthe tubing, it will be seen that depression of the foot lever 26 causesengagement of the roller 23 with the cam projection 24 thereby tightlygripping the tubing between the pedestal and cap members.

The means for shifting the tubing axially to bring the desired portionthereof into position to be acted upon by the working or shaping head isbest shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. This means comprises a bracket 33adapted to pivotally support a pair of rollers 34 and 35 of rubber orsimilar material. The roller 34 is pivotally mounted upon a support bolt36 carried by the bracket and has a ratchet 31 fixed thereto adapted forcooperation with a spring pressed pawl 38 carried upon an operatinglever or handle 39 also pivotally mounted upon the bolt 36. An apron orcam member 40 is non-rotatably fixed to the bolt 36, which cam member isadapted to engage the pawl 38 to limit its stroke of engagement with theratchet wheel. It will be seen that as the handle 39 is manuallyreciprocated, at each operation thereof the ratchet 31 and itsassociated feed roller 34 will be rotated a predetermined distancedetermined by the apron 40, to thereby feed the tubing I! to the left apredetermined distance. The feeding distance may be varied bysubstituting appropriate apron members 40, or other means may beprovided for predetermining the effective stroke of operation of thepawl.

The cooperating roller 35 which maintains frictional engagement betweenthe tubing and the feed roll 34 is carried by a pair of arms 42 formedon a sleeve 43 pinned to one end of a shaft 44 journaled in the bracket33. The other end of shaft 44 has pinned thereto an operating lever orhandle 45 by means of which the shaft and the associated arms 42 and 43may be shifted clockwise as seen in Fig. 3 from an inoperative positionto an operative position as shown. When the arms and the roller 35 areshifted to their operative position, they move slightly past verticaldead center into engagement with a stop pin 46 so as to be automaticallymaintained. in such position. When the roller 35 is shifted to itsinoperative position the tube I! may be freely shifted independent ofthe feeding roller 34 as, for example, during loading or unloadingoperations. Rollers 34 and 35 may be shaped to conform to the particularsize of tubing being processed.

In instances wherein the work piece such as the tubing I1 is of extendedlength it is desirable to support it at suitable intervals along itslength. Such support means is indicated in Figs. 1 and 5, and mayconveniently comprise a support bracket 50 slidably mounted within anopening in the table 10. The bracket 50 is bifurcated at its upper endand carries a pair of support rolls 5| and 52 adapted to engage andsupport the tubing. An adjustment screw 53 is provided for properlyadjusting the height of the bracket 50. To this end the adjustment screwis threadedly connected to a frame bracket 54 fixed to the table III,the end of the screw extending into an opening 55 provided in the lowerportion of the bracket 50. It will be seen that as the adjustment screw53 is turned within the frame bracket 54, the support bracket 50 iscorrespondingly lowered or raised to bring the support rolls 5! and 52into proper engagement with the tubing surface. It will be understoodthat an appropriate number of such support devices are preferablyprovided along the length of the table H], in accordance with the lengthof the work piece being processed.

The working or shaping head l6, and its associated control and operatingparts are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 to 14 inclusive. Referring toFig. 6, the working head comprises a shaping or spinning ring suitablyprofiled on its exterior surface in accordance with the shaping to beimparted to the work piece. The ring or tool 60 is secured by suitablemeans, such as screws 6| to the outer race 62 of a ball bearingstructure, the inner race 63 of the ball bearing being secured to aprojection 64 provided on the end of an adjustable cage member 65, theshape of which will be best understood by reference to Fig. 13. Thebearing race 63 may conveniently be retained on the end of theprojection 64 by means of a securing plate 66 and screw 61 threaded intothe end of the projection.

The cage 65 is mounted on the front of a flange 10 formed on the end ofthe main operating shaft H which is adapted to extend along the lengthof the tube or work piece I! and to be rotatably driven to effect theoperation of the shaping tool, as will be later described. The cage ismounted for rotation with the flange 10 and also for adjustable movementtransversely thereof whereby to predetermine the orbit of travel of theprojection 64. More specifically, as best shown in Figs. 11 and 13, apair of guide pieces 1.2 and 13 are bolted to the front face of theflange 10 by means of bolts or screws 14. These guide pieces, togetherwith the front surface of the flange Ill form a track structureextending transversely of the flange along which the cage 65 istransversely adjustable. To effect the adjustment of the cage, the cageis provided with a central recess 15, as best shown in Fig. 13 withinwhich a cam 16 is operable. This cam is secured to the front end of ajack shaft I1 rotatably mounted within a counterbore or recess 18, Fig.6, formed in the end of the main operating shaft II. To effect thesecuring of the cam I6 to the end of the jack shaft, the jack shaft isprovided with a squared projection I9 on its forward end, as shown inFig. 11, onto which the cam I6 i press-fitted. It will be seen that asthe jack shaft 11 is rotated relative to the main operating shaft I I,the cam I6 is rotated, for example from the position shown in Fig. 11 tothe position shown in Fig. 12, whereby to effect the transverse shiftingof the cage 65 with its projection 64 transversely of the flange I8 andthe axis of the work piece.

To effect the rotation of the jack shaft 11 relative to the mainoperating shaft, the jack shaft is provided with a pair of helicalgrooves or slots Ill and 82 cut into the cylindrical surface thereof asindicated in Fig. 6. A pair of pins 83 and 84 are provided, the reducedend portions of which extend, respectively, into these slots. The pinsare press-fitted into a sleeve 85 loosely mounted on the shaft II foraxial movement in respect thereto. Sleeve 85 is provided with an endflange portion 86 fixed to the main body of the sleeve by means ofsuitable securing means such as screws 81, Fig, 6. The sleeve and endflange, when in assembled position, are shaped to define a grooveextending circumferentially of the sleeve within which a ring member 88is arranged, the sleeve being freely rotatable relativ to the ring, asindicated by the ball bearing connections 89.

A ring-like spider 98, Fig. 6, loosely embraces the shaft I I. Thisspider is provided with a pair of forwardly projecting arms 9| and 92,the ends of which carry pins 93 screw threaded into the ring 88. Alsoconnected to the spider are a pair of arms 94 and 95, Figs. 6 and 8,extending longitudinally of the shaft II within the work piece, andadapted to be shifted axially of the shaft and the work piece by meanslater to be described. The sleeve-like end of the operating shaft -II isprovided with a pair of longitudinal slots 96 and 91, Fig. 6,respectively receiving the pins 83 and 84. The arrangement is alsoindicated in Fig. 14. It will be seen that as the arms 94 and 95 areshifted axially of the work, for example from the position shown in Fig.6 to that shown in Fig. 7, the ring 88 and sleeve 85 are correspondinglyaxially shifted causing the pins Y 83 and 84 to shift axially in theslots 96 and 91 and thereby through their engagement with the slots 8|and 82, effect the relative rotation of the jack shaft l! with respectto the main operating shaft 1I. It will be understood that all of theparts are rotatable with the operating shaft II, with the exception ofthe ring 88 and the spider 90' with its associated parts such as thearms 9|, 92 and the arms 94, 95. To this end the ball bearing connection89 is provided so that while thering 88 and sleeve 85 are constrainedfor axial movement together, the sleeve 85 may rotate with the shaft 1I, relative to the ring 88.

In order to rotatably support the end of the operating shaft H in properposition at its central axi of rotation, the sleeve-like end portion I88thereof, Fig. 6, is adapted to receive an inner race member IIII of aball bearing structure held in position by means of a threaded collarI02. The outer race member I03 of this bearin has a collar I04detachably fixed thereto by suitable means, such as screws as indicatedat I85. This collar, which is selected in accordance with the than thework piece so as to permit the work to be axially shifted with respectthereto during loading operations, and also as the work piece is axiallyshifted to bring new sections thereof into position to be worked upon bythe working or shaping tool 68. When the cap member I4 is urged intoclamping engagement with the work piece, as previously described, thecap member and the pedestal I3, in cooperation with the collar I84, andthe interposed wall of the work piece, provide a support arrangement forsupporting the end of the operating shaft 'I'I during operation of thetool. If desired, the cap and pedestal may be ovaled Very slightly tofacilitate the gripping of the tube wall against the collar I84. Theball bearing connection permits the collar I04 to remain stationary withthe work during rotation of the shaft II.

To effect the axial shifting of the arms 94 and 95 a lever II8, Fig. 1,is pivotally mounted adjacent the end of the machine table III, asindicated at III, the upper end II2 of the lever being formed into ayoke for connection with the arms 94 and 95. The lower end of the leveris connected by means of a rod I I3 to a pivoted handle 'or operatinglever II4 pivoted to the table I8 as indicated at H5 and adapted formanipulation by the machine operator.

To effect the rotation of the main operating shaft II, the end of theshaft remote from the working tool is adapted to be rotatably receivedwithin a bearing structure II8, Fig. 1, fixed to the table I0, the endof the shaft havin fixed there-to a pulley such as indicated at II9.This pulley is driven from a belt I29 connected to a driving pulley I2Iadapted to be selectively clutched to and unclutched from a constantlyoperating motor I22 by means of a clutch structure 23. The clutch I23may be of any conventional design suitable for connecting anddisconnecting the pulley I2I from itsdriving motor. Alever I24 isprovided for shifting the clutch, this lever being connected by means ofa rod I 25 to a manual control handle or lever I26 pivoted to a floorbracket as indicated at I21 and adapted for operation by the machineoperator.

In the operation of the mechanism described, and assuming that the maindriving motor I22 is rotating, the cap member I4, Fig. 2, and thecompression roller 35, Fig. 4, of the feeding mechanism may be moved toinoperative position whereby to permit the ready insertion of a workpiece, such as the tubing I7 into the machine. In loading the work, thetubing is slipped onto the working head from the left as seen in Fig. 1,into proper position. The cap I4 is then pivoted into its full lineposition shown in Fig. 2, and the compressionroll 35 of the feedingmechanism brought into engagement with the tubing. Manipulation of thefeeding handle 39 will then operate to shift the tubing to the leftaccurately to bring the desired portion thereof into position to beacted upon by the working or shaping tool. When the tubing has beenpositioned, the foot lever 26 is operated'to clamp it. Thereupon theclutch I23 is closed by means of the lever I26 effecting the rotation ofthe main operating shaft II. As the lever H4 is then operated, the arms94 and 95 are shifted to effect the relative movement of the jack shaft11 with respect to the main operating shaft, from its Fig. 6 to its Fig.7 position. During this movement the cam 18 is shifted to effect thetransverse adjustment of the, cage with its projection 64. Suchadjustment causes the rotating projection to move from a positioncoincident with the axis of the shaft ll progressively outwardly as itrotates, thereby assuming a gyratory path of travel. More specifically,the projection 64 moves in a coplanar spiral of progressively increasingsize thereby imparting a similar movement to the working or shaping tool60. The projection 64 rotates with the shaft II but the tool 60, whileassuming the gyrating motion, is non-rotatable except in so far asrotation may be induced by its contact with the work surfaces. The work,in the particular embodiment shown, is progressively provided with anannular corrugation as indicated at l8a in Fig. 7 and as will beunderstood by a comparison of Figs. 9 and 10. It will be seen that thecap 14 and pedestal 13 project into close proximity to the shaping tool,thus providing maximum support for the work piece. The cap and pedestalalso cooperate to form a support means for the end of the rotating shaftH, as previously described. After the Working head has been retracted toits position as shown in Fig. 6, foot pedal 26 may be operated torelease the clamping engagement of the cap I4, and the feed handle 39thereupon operated to bring a new tubing surface into position to beoperated upon by the working head, and the operation repeated.

It will be seen that by the apparatus provided a band-like or tube-likework piece may be internally worked, viz., radially expanded outwardlyinto a suitable and desired profile. Such operations may be carried outnotwithstanding that the Work piece is of extended length as indicatedin Fig. 1. The invention is thus particularly adapted to the formationof annular corrugations in elongated metal tubing. As perhaps bestindicated in Figs. 6 and 9, it will be seen that the working tool 60 issubstantially of the same external diameter as the initial internaldiameter of the tubing. By this means a maximum contact surface isprovided between the work piece and the tool during the formingoperation thereby minimizing the strain of the metal fibers. Also, itwill be noted that during the forming process the tubing is spunoutwardly. Accordingly the reduction in wall thickness of the work piecewhich takes place during the forming process occurs at the apex of thecorrugation as indicated at [8a in Fig. 7. The trough portion of thetubing convolution as indicated at l8b remains of the original tubingwall thickness. By this means a maximum strength is provided in thetrough portions of the tubing which trough portions are subjected to thegreatest stresses during flexing of the tubing in service. Accordingly,a more durable tube, and a tube of improved operating characteristics isprovided.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specificembodiment set forth without departing from the spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiment shown and described, but only as indicated in the followingclaims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. Apparatus for working a tube-like work piece comprising means forsupporting the work piece, a working tool, means for supporting the toolinteriorly of the work piece substantially coaxially thereof, saidsupport means including a member adapted to fixedly grip the wall of thework piece and hold it against rotation, and control means for shiftingthe work support and tool relative to each other to shift the contactsurface of the tool along the work both radially and circumferentiallyrelative to the 'work piece,

whereby to impart the desired contour to the Work piece.

2. Apparatus for working a tube-like work piece comprising means forsupporting the Work piece, a working tool, means for supporting the toolinteriorly of the Work piece, said support means including a memberadapted to fixedly grip the internal wall of the Work piece and hold itagainst rotation, and control means for shifting the work support andtool relative to each other to shift the contact surface of the toolalong the work-piece in a coplanar path of travel extendingcircumferentially and progressively radially outwardly of the workpiece, whereby to impart the desired contour to the work piece.

3. Apparatus for working a tube-like work piece comprising means forsupporting the work piece, a working tool, means for supporting the toolinteriorly of the work piece, rotatable means for propelling the tool soas to cause the working surface thereof to move circumferentially 0f thework piece, and means including control mechanism extendinglongitudinally of the work piece axis for simultaneously shifting thetool transversely of the work piece axis during the operation of saidrotatable means, said tool being shiftable from a position substantiallycoaxial with the axis of the work piece.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said shifting meanscomprises a cam normally rotatable with the rotatable means butadjustably shiftable in respect thereto to effect the transverse toolshifting movement.

5. Apparatus for working a tube-like work piece comprising means forsupporting the work piece, a ring working tool, said tool beingsubstantially commensurate in size with the diameter of the work piece,means for supporting the tool interiorly of the work piece comprising astud upon which the ring tool is rotatably mounted, rotatable means fordriving the stud so as to cause the working surface of the ring, tool tomove circumferentially of the work piece, and means including controlmechanism extending longitudinally of the work piece axis forsimultaneously shifting the stud transversely of the work piece axisduring the operation of said rotatable means.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said stud shifting meanscomprises a cam normally rotatable with the rotatable means butadjustably shiftable in respect thereto'to effect the transverse studshifting movement.

'7. Apparatus for working a tube-like work piececomprising means forsupporting the Work piece, a ring working tool, means for supporting thetool interiorly of the Work piece comprising a stud upon which the ringtool is rotatably mounted, rotatable means for driving the stud so as tocause the working surface of the ring tool to move circumferentially ofthe work piece, means for simultaneously shifting the stud transverselyof the Work piece axis during the operation of said rotatable means, andmeans for controlling the axial shifting of the work piece to bringspaced axial portions thereof into position to be operated upon by thetool, whereby to provide a corrugated tubing structure.

8. Apparatus for working a tube-like work piece comprising means fornon-rotatably supporting the work piece, a working tool structuredisposed interiorly of the work piece, said working tool structure beingadapted to form an annular contour in the work piece and having but asingle point of engagement therewith, means for supporting the workintool structure interiorly of the work piece, said support meansincluding a. member adapted to engage the internal wall of the workpiece, and control means for shifting the work support and tool relativeto each other to shift the contact surface between the tool and the workin a coplanar path of travel extending circumferentially andprogressively radially outwardly of the work piece, whereby to impartthe desired contour to the Work piece.

9. Apparatus for working a tube-like work piece comprising means forsupporting the work piece, a Workin tool structure disposed interiorlyof the work piece, said working tool structure being adapted to form anannular contour in the work piece and havingbut a single point ofengagement therewith, means for supporting the working tool structureinteriorly of the work piece, and control means including a controllever and a mechanical linkage connecting the control member with theworking tool structure for shifting the work sup-port and tool relativeto each other to shift the contact surface between the tool and the workin a coplanar path of travel extending circumferentially andprogressively radially outwardly of the work piece, whereby to impartthe desired contour to the work piece.

10. Apparatus for working a tube-like Work piece comprising a pair ofcooperable outer and inner clamp members for gripping and non-rotatablyholding the work piece, a ring working tool, means for supporting thetool interiorly and substantially coaxially of the work piece comprisinga stud upon which .the ring tool is rotatably mounted, means rotatablewithin the work piece transverse stud shifting movement.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said stud shifting meanscomprises a member adapted to lie within the work piece and shiftablelongitudinally thereof to efiect the transverse stud shifting operation.

13. Apparatus for working a tube-like work piece comprising means fornon-rotatably supporting the work piece, a working tool structuredisposed interiorly of the work piece, said working tool structure beinadapted to form an annular contour in the work piece upon engagementtherewith, means for moving the working tool circumferentially of thework piece, means including control mechanism extending longitudinallyof the work piece axis for shifting the working tool transversely of thework piece axis during its circumferential movement, and means forgauging the axial shifting of the work piece to bring spaced axialportions thereof into position to be operated .upon by the working tool,whereby to provide a corrugated tubing structure.

JOHN F. P. FARRAR.

